Ships hit by U-boats


San Gil

Panamanian Steam merchant


We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.


NameSan Gil
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage3,627 tons
Completed1920 - Workman, Clark & Co Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerBalboa Shipping Co Inc (United Fruit Co), Balboa 
HomeportPanama 
Date of attack4 Feb 1942Nationality:      Panamanian
 
FateSunk by U-103 (Werner Winter)
Position38° 05'N, 74° 40'W - Grid CA 5764
Complement41 (2 dead and 39 survivors).
Convoy
RouteSanta Marta, Colombia - Puerto Cortes, Honduras - Philadelphia 
CargoBananas 
History Completed in December 1920 for Unifruitco SS Co Ltd (United Fruit Co), Glasgow. 1931 registered in Panama for Balboa Shipping Co Inc (United Fruit Co), Balboa. 
Notes on event

At 06.43 hours on 4 Feb 1942 the unescorted and unarmed San Gil (Master Walter W. Koch) was hit on the port side in the engine room by one torpedo from U-103, while steaming at 13 knots on a nonevasive course. The explosion killed two men on watch below, destroyed the port lifeboat and the radio equipment. The flooding of the engine room caused a sharp list to starboard. When they sent distress signals with the emergency radio the U-boat fired with the 37mm and 20mm AA guns at the bridge from the starboard side to prevent further use of the radio and scored 8-12 hits. At 07.23 hours, a coup de grĂ¢ce struck amidships on the starboard side and caused the ship to sink in 5 minutes. The survivors had abandoned ship in two lifeboats, were picked up by USS Nike (WPC 112) on the same day and landed at Lewes, Delaware.

 
On boardWe have details of 10 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats